Experimental Drug Potentially More Effective Treating Breast Cancer

Findings from a recent study suggest that a novel drug could be more effective treating breast cancer than current therapies.

This new drug, eCF506, was able to effectively block the growth of breast cancer cells by targeting the Src tyrosine kinase necessary for the growth and spread of cancer cells, according to the study published by the Journal of Medicinal Chemistry.

The researchers used imaging techniques to visualize the effects of different drugs on the cells, and found this method to be cost-effective and efficient. Currently, other drugs that target the molecule are being tested in clinical trials, but researchers noted that eCF506 is more selective and does not affect other molecules.

“eCF506 is the first drug candidate of a second generation of Src inhibitors that will not only help to understand the complexity of some cancers but also the development of safer combination therapies,” said lead researcher Asier Unciti-Broceta, MPharm, MSc, PhD.

Researchers also said this drug could be more effective and have less side effects than other drugs, but more studies are needed to confirm this.

"This candidate drug will need to undergo further preclinical testing before it can be taken forward into clinical trials but these early findings are very promising,” concluded co-lead researcher Neil Carragher, PhD. "The result provides further support for our new drug discovery approach, which aims to deliver more effective medicines at reduced costs for patients and healthcare providers."